Ewen Fields To Host Fundraiser Between City Old Boys And Mercian Regiment

Former players of Manchester City ‘Old Boys’ football team will team up with the British Army next month in aid of Tameside hospital & The Christie specialist cancer centre.

The match will be held on Sunday 29^th May at Hyde United FC’s ground between a team of former Manchester City players and the Mercian Regiment.  Michael Brown, Ian Brightwell Colin Hendry and Jim Melrose are just some of the Manchester City icons who will be playing at Hyde United on Sunday 29^th May 2022.  

Tickets are available on the day and will be priced at £5 for adults, £3 for pensioners and £1 for children accompanied by an adult. Payment will be cash only taken at the turnstiles.

The Manchester City Old Boys’ football team is managed by, Peter Barnes, former England, Man City and Man United player together with Allan Grafton MBE. This special match is dedicated to the footballing legend Colin Bell and Derek Partridge who helped manage the former players too. 

In February 2021 Derek sadly unexpectedly passed away, and he had worked with Allan and Peter prior to his passing to arrange the celebration match for their good friend, footballing legend and gentleman Colin Bell. Peter and Allan in honour of all Derek’s hard work, decided to continue his plans in bringing the football and wider community together, with all the proceeds raised to be split between the two charities close to Derek’s heart, The Christie and Tameside Hospital. 

The former players football team was originally set up by Peter Barnes late and highly respected father Ken, with the aim of raising much needed funds for the local community and worthy charities. Peter with the help of Allan Grafton MBE carried on his father’s good work, and soon recruited the assistance of Derek Partridge, and together this formidable group managed to raise millions of pounds for local national and international charities.  

Speaking about the Old Boys Allan Grafton said “Peter Barnes and I have been the driving force for the past thirty years and will be retiring after today's match.  Peter has been vice chair and I have been Chairman of the Man City former players football team for the last thirty years.  It’s been a sheer joy and we have been able to help so many organisations over the years.”

Louise Stimson, Head of Fundraising at The Christie charity said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the recipients of the proceeds from this fantastic event.  The match promises to be a magical occasion for all the family. We are incredibly grateful to Peter and Allan for thinking of The Christie and supporting our patients. We hope that everyone who attends has a wonderful time”

Karen James OBE Chief Executive, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT added "Over the last few years we have seen challenges within our community which have made us draw on all our talents, kindness and our strength. The horrendous Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017, which claimed the lives of 22 people and wounded more than a hundred others, and more recently coronavirus, which has ripped through our Borough and continues to be a cause for concern.

"That’s why I am so grateful to the organisers of this wonderful football match that you have chosen my Trust and Christies to benefit from the proceeds. As we will see today, fundraising is all about having fun. It promises to be a wonderful afternoon, and the two-minute silence before kick-off, for us to remember all those who have lost their lives to COVID, will be particularly poignant. And our thoughts must also go out to the family and friends of Colin Bell and Derek Partridge, in whose memory this event is held.”

Army representative Major John Elms MBE of the MERCIAN Regiment is coordinating the Army team has been associated to Manchester City Former players since 2010 when Allan Grafton MBE and the late Derek Partridge contacted the regiment to provide support through a hard tour of Afghanistan. Through a number of initiatives and support events the Former Players gave a source of strength to so many rehabilitating service personnel.

  Major John said “This is the second time we have played the Manchester City Former Players and we are honoured to be part of this event. It will give well deserved recognition and support back to the NHS and also remember Colin Bell and Derek Partridge, both huge community ambassadors, and friends of the MERCIAN regiment.”